Casablanca Tramway and Busway workers protest over working conditions

Sunday 24 May 2026 - 14:45

Employees of the tramway and busway networks in Casablanca have launched a protest movement to denounce what they describe as deteriorating working conditions and insufficient social benefits.

The demonstration was organized by the Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), one of Morocco’s largest labor unions. According to union representatives, workers participated in a symbolic protest by wearing red armbands, with organizers claiming full participation across the sector.

In a statement issued by the regional union branch of Casablanca-Settat, the organization accused management of refusing meaningful social dialogue despite repeated complaints from employees regarding wages, workload, and professional conditions.

The protest movement was led by the union representing tramway and busway employees and executives affiliated with the UMT. Union officials described the action as disciplined and responsible while emphasizing the growing frustration among transport workers.

Since the launch of the Casablanca tramway network in 2012, the system has become one of the city’s most important public transport services, carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers every day. Employees argue that despite their essential role in maintaining urban mobility, their salaries and benefits have not evolved in line with the responsibilities and pressures of the job.

Among the grievances highlighted by the union is the absence of adequate social advantages for workers. According to representatives, employees do not even benefit from free access to the transport network they help operate daily, a situation the union considers unfair given the strategic importance of the service for the city.

The protest reflects broader labor concerns affecting several sectors in Morocco, where workers increasingly demand improved wages, stronger social protections, and better working conditions amid rising living costs and economic pressures.

Observers note that social dialogue between employers and labor unions remains a central issue in maintaining stability within essential public services, especially in rapidly growing urban centers such as Casablanca.